09-24-2001 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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• MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING MONDAY, September 24, 2001 (Coffee Channel, Continued) Richard Chock, 2213 Shadywood Road, indicated he was born and raised in this area and has used Coffee Channel many times as he was growing up. Chock stated he has seen a number of people go through the ice in this area and has rescued a number of people. Chock stated in his view a better solution needs to be found for the snowmobilers since they do help the economy of Orono. Chock indicated he has also used this alleyway in the past when the channel is unsafe, and encouraged the Council to leave the alleyway open until a better solution is arrived at. Mike Schultz, 3022 Bluffs Drive, Mound, expressed concerns regarding snowmobiling and the use of Coffee Channel. Schultz stated he understands the concerns of the adjoining property owners to the alleyway and that the issue of safety needs to be addressed. Schultz indicated more and more families are becoming involved in snowmobiling, with Lord Fletcher's being a popular place to visit. Schultz stated the young children riding snowmobilers are not always aware of the dangers of going through Coffee Channel and that the fire lane is the only viable, safe passage through that area at this time. Schultz encouraged the Council to keep the fire lane open. Roger Kirchner, 2000 Shadywood Road, presented pictures to the audience and City Council illustrating the alleyway and the damage caused by snowmobilers to his property. Kirchner stated he has young grandchildren who visit occasionally, with this property being owned by his family for the past 60 years. Kirchner stated back in 1971, a sign was erected by the City next to the alleyway saying no snowmobiling allowed. Kirchner stated their homes are located 25 feet apart, with their homes being • three feet from the fire lane, and due to the number of snowmobiles that utilized this fire lane, along with the noise they created, it caused their whole residence to shake and rattled the mirrors in their bathroom. Kirchner stated in his opinion this is not a safe, viable alternate for the people who live in these residences. Kirchner stated leaving this alleyway open to snowmobilers would greatly diminish their quality of life and they should not have to tolerate this situation. John Schultz, 3192 West Edge Boulevard, Mound, stated his property abuts Halsted Bay, with his property being utilized by the snowmobilers when Halsted Channel is unsafe. Schultz stated he has been approached by several different neighbors requesting this area be closed down but has refused due to safety reasons to avoid the necessity of people using the channel when it is unsafe. Schultz stated he is a snowmobiler and has lived on the lake for 27 years. Schultz pointed out these two properties are probably non - conforming under today's Building Codes. Schultz encouraged the Council to leave this alleyway open for snowmobilers due to the safety issues involved. Mark Hawkin, 3023 Ivy Lane, Mound, stated he has been snowmobiling on this lake for approximately 21 years now, with Coffee Channel being a concern. Hawkin stated the Water Patrol does issue a $90 ticket to people speeding in this area and does routinely check the ice in this area. Hawkin stated a better long -term solution needs to be found, with the alleyway being the only viable option at this time. David Soltau, 4608 Harriett Avenue South, Minneapolis, indicated his mother lives at 1998 Shadywood. Soltau stated he spends considerable time with his mother at her residence and is aware of the situation • and the trauma that it has caused to his mother. Soltau stated in his opinion snowmobiling is a privilege PAGE 5